Free Agency Approach

[beerlover]

memo: watching the Texans front office work last year to aquire players, Rick Smith seemed to look closely towards the following weeks opponent. Even if they didn't last more than that week (usually injury related or possibly help with game planning). exceptionally rich group defensively although Pittsburgh uses the 3-4, thats the same scheme Dallas used which seemed to cause Texans fits.

Steelers released TE Lee Vickers, LB Patrick Bailey, WR/KR Eddie Drummond, P Paul Ernster, FB Billy Latsko, OG Doug Legursky, OG Matt Lentz, CB Roy Lewis, S Grant Mason, DE Ryan McBean, OT Jeremy Parquet, DT Scott Paxson, DE Jordan Reffett, WR Willie Reid, WR Micah Rucker, TE Dezmond Sherrod, RB Justin Vincent and CB Travis Williams.

I just wonder if any of these players would interest the Texans?

[pappy]

Originally Posted by beerlover

memo: watching the Texans front office work last year to aquire players, Rick Smith seemed to look closely towards the following weeks opponent. Even if they didn't last more than that week (usually injury related or possibly help with game planning). exceptionally rich group defensively although Pittsburgh uses the 3-4, thats the same scheme Dallas used which seemed to cause Texans fits. I just wonder if any of these players would interest the Texans?

Well ABC 13 talking points said 8-8 this year and many are predicting worse but i know that many here will like to think better is still possible . For Kubiak and Smith the game is viewed a little bit different i think than the homers at this board . They will think that the players that will do the best will be those who sweat and bust there behind in the preseason with the team forming a bond in doing so . If this is true not many pickups will be successful just because they will need to overcome this slanted view that Kubiak and the texans have .

[Señor Stan]

Originally Posted by pappy

Well ABC 13 talking points said 8-8 this year and many are predicting worse but i know that many here will like to think better is still possible . For Kubiak and Smith the game is viewed a little bit different i think than the homers at this board . They will think that the players that will do the best will be those who sweat and bust there behind in the preseason with the team forming a bond in doing so . If this is true not many pickups will be successful just because they will need to overcome this slanted view that Kubiak and the texans have .

How do you explain Will Demps last year? He seemed to work out O.K.

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by Señor Stan

How do you explain Will Demps last year? He seemed to work out O.K.

The sun shines on a dogs butt every now and then?

[beerlover]

I knew this was going to be a difficult sell but think more along the lines of a Rashad Butler who was waived by the Panthers (sep. 3 & picked up by the Texans sep. 3 07). the Texans beat the Panthers 34-21 Sep 16th 34-21. the bonus with Rahsad is he is still with the team & looks like a keeper

[pappy]

Originally Posted by Señor Stan

How do you explain Will Demps last year? He seemed to work out O.K.

There was nobody to play safety last year but i did not say it was impossible and demps did play well after he finally managed to get on the field .

[Hook'er]

Originally Posted by Señor Stan

How do you explain Will Demps last year? He seemed to work out O.K.

That was after they tried to get the saftey from the Chiefs, before the opener. I think his name was Gregg Wesley or something? The Chiefs wanted too much for him, then a couple weeks later we got Demps.

[beerlover]

how about our own free agency approach? which ones do the Texans resign & which ones move on to other teams-

Released FB Jon Abbate, QB Shane Boyd, QB Alex Brink, DE Rosevelt Colvin, C Greg Eslinger, CB Jamar Fletcher, DT Gabe Long, DT Anthony Maddox, WR LeRon McCoy, RB Darius Walker, S Glenn Earl, CB Derrick Roberson, TE Ryan Krause, WR Darnell Jenkins, DE Jesse Nading, CB Dexter Wynn, T Torrin Tucker, LB Ben Moffitt, WR Mark Simmons, RB Marcel Shipp, LB Kevis Coley.

If they clear waivers either put back on roster or pratice squad.

after Pittsburgh here are the released players from the Texans next four opponents-

Players Waived:

Ravens:

Adam Bergen (TE, 6-4, 267, 3rd-year, Lehigh)
Casey Bramlet (QB, 6-4, 220, 2nd-year, Wyoming)
Darrell Campbell (DL, 6-4, 295, 1st-year, Notre Dame)
Patrick Carter (WR, 6-3, 195, Rookie, Louisville)
Adrien Clarke (G, 6-5, 330, 4th-year, Ohio State)
Amon Gordon (DT, 6-2, 305, 4th-year, Stanford)
Justin Harper (WR, 6-3, 215, Rookie, Virginia Tech)
Alex Haynes (RB, 5-10, 225, 2nd-year, Central Florida)
Keith Heinrich (TE, 6-6, 255, 5th-year, Sam Houston State)
Adam Kraus (G, 6-6, 295, Rookie, Michigan)
Robert McCune (LB, 6-0, 245, 2nd-year, Louisville)
Allen Patrick (RB, 6-1, 200, Rookie, Oklahoma)
Ronnie Prude (CB, 5-11, 180, 3rd-year, LSU)
Joe Reitz (T, 6-7, 270, Rookie, Western Michigan)
Chad Slaughter (6-8, 340, 5th-year Alcorn State)
Gary Stills (LB, 6-2, 250, 10th-year, West Virginia)
Ernie Wheelwright (WR, 6-5, 220, Rookie, Minnesota)
Lorenzo Williams (DL, 6-0, 310, Rookie, Missouri)
Matt Willis (WR, 5-11, 190, 2nd-year, UCLA)

don't know how familar you guys are with Allen Patrick formerly a Sooner but he would seem to me an excellent fit for the ZBS, quick to the hole & runs downhill, solid program & backed up Adrian Peterson two years ago.

Titans:

FB Jeremy Cain, CB Marquice Cole, DE Sean Conover, FB Casey Cramer, RB Omar Cuff, WR Biren Ealy, LB Jerrell Freeman, CB Tuff Harris, DT Antonio Johnson, S Tony Joiner, S Calvin Lowry, OL Enoka Lucas, QB Ingle Martin, C Jason Murphy, TE Jamie Petrowksi, T Isaac Snell, DT Eric Taylor, K John Vaughn, OL Fernando Velasco, CB Cary Williams, WR Edward Williams and WR Roydell Williams.

Jags:

QB Todd Bouman, RB Ciatrick Fason, LB Tony Gilbert, DT Jesse Mahelona, DE Kenny Pettway and DE Bo Schobel. fifth-round draft pick DB Trae Williams and 12 other first-year players: TE Chris Brown, DE Mkristo Bruce, OT Andrew Carnahan, TE Charles Davis, CB Isaiah Gardner, CB Michael Grant, WR Ryan Hoag, G/OT Pete McMahon, C/G Drew Miller, CB Rashod Moulton, LB Lamar Myles and WR D’Juan Woods.

hey didn't we draft him in the 7th rd. 2005 & Bo Schobel was one of the draft picks traded away to the Titans to move up for Babin.

Colts:

Jared Lorenzen and Quinn Gray, a pair of veteran quarterbacks signed just before 2008 Training Camp

seem to remember the Texans giving Gray a shot during OTA's.

Wide receiver Devin Aromashodu

Another player the Texans signed last off season when the Colts waived him, didn't play much or at all for the Texans if I remember correctly, thus waived by the Texans & picked right back up again by the Colts. the Texans played them a week or two later DA had 2 or 3 nice catches.

defensive tackle Joe Bradley, defensive end Jeff Charleston, safety Brannon Condren, defensive tackle Dan Davis, offensive tackle Tala Esera, defensive tackle Colin Ferrell, defensive back Brandon Foster, wide receiver Sam Giguere, Gray, defensive end Ben Ishola, wide receiver Onrea Jones, running back Kenton Keith, Lorenzen, offensive tackle Darren Marquez, linebacker Kyle Shotwell, running back Chad Simpson, tight end Tyrice Thompson, offensive tackle Michael Toudouze and linebacker Victor Worsley.

I know I'm getting carried away (its the barleywine) but this is just a small sampling on the plate of Rick Smith.

[ObsiWan]

I've been looking for DBs and DEs and outside of McDougle, I haven't seen anybody thats head-and-shoulders above the guys we'll probably put on our P/S. And OBTW, I think Beerlover's list is on target

Released FB Jon Abbate, QB Shane Boyd, QB Alex Brink, DE Rosevelt Colvin, C Greg Eslinger, CB Jamar Fletcher, DT Gabe Long, DT Anthony Maddox, WR LeRon McCoy, RB Darius Walker, S Glenn Earl, CB Derrick Roberson, TE Ryan Krause, WR Darnell Jenkins, DE Jesse Nading, CB Dexter Wynn, T Torrin Tucker, LB Ben Moffitt, WR Mark Simmons, RB Marcel Shipp, LB Kevis Coley.

assuming they all make it thru waivers

[rmartin65]

Its too bad we dont need a receiver. The Colts released Giguere, and that dude has sick athleticism.

[pappy]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

I've been looking for DBs and DEs and outside of McDougle, I haven't seen anybody thats head-and-shoulders above the guys we'll probably put on our P/S. And OBTW, I think Beerlover's list is on target

assuming they all make it thru waivers

I would rather keep Gabe long over Brink but that is a personal preference .

[steelbtexan]

Smithiak should look @ the following FA's

DE's 1. Mc Clover Speed rusher Productive with CAR last year
2. Mc Dougle Good preseason Looks like the injury bug is behind him
3. Mc Bean Talented but raw Would you rather have him or Weaver
4. Pettway & B. Schobel Better than anything we have @ DE besides MW

RB's 1. Keith He is better than Taylor & healthier than Green
2. Marcus Mason Led league in rushing in preseason (Impressive on cut RB)
3. Dwayne Wright Runs hard, good hands, played in ZBS in college
4. Rudi Johnson Wouldn't touch him with a 10 ft pole

LB Ryan Nece 1. Ronnie Lott's son, Better than Greenwood, Great ST player

[ObsiWan]

this has probably been said before but it sho' is sweet to mainly be searching the "wire" to upgrade our backups instead of desperately trying to find starters.

Even at RB and CB I haven't seen anyone that's (a) head & shoulders above who we already have in camp and (b) wouldn't break the bank - like a Ty Law for example.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by steelbtexan

Smithiak should look @ the following FA's

DE's 1. Mc Clover Speed rusher Productive with CAR last year
2. Mc Dougle Good preseason Looks like the injury bug is behind him
3. Mc Bean Talented but raw Would you rather have him or Weaver
4. Pettway & B. Schobel Better than anything we have @ DE besides MW

RB's 1. Keith He is better than Taylor & healthier than Green
2. Marcus Mason Led league in rushing in preseason (Impressive on cut RB)
3. Dwayne Wright Runs hard, good hands, played in ZBS in college
4. Rudi Johnson Wouldn't touch him with a 10 ft pole

LB Ryan Nece 1. Ronnie Lott's son, Better than Greenwood, Great ST player

rep your way sir

[Goldensilence]

Would love to see us take a look at Allen Patrick. Prototypical one cut and go running back at OU, size, enough speed, and former defensive player turned RB. Ran in a pro offense.Was really hoping we'd give him a look later in the draft.

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by beerlover

rep your way sir

Thank you for the rep.

You are the man when it comes to scouting players.

I am looking forward to your talent evaluations during the college football season this year.

Two RB's I'm keeping an eye on are Lucky & Goodson